CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – The Western Cape High Court sentenced a married couple and a hired hitman to life in prison for the murder of a rape victim. The victim was set to testify against the husband the day after her killing.
Judge James Lekhuleni handed down the sentence, condemning the crime as a stark example of South Africa’s struggle with femicide and gender-based violence.
“This case exemplifies the gravity and depth of this unrelenting problem,” Lekhuleni said.
Convicted for Premeditated Murder
According to IOL, The court found Cebisa Bhala (wife), Mmeli Kheswa (husband), and Mlungisi Ntsalaz (hitman) guilty of murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of ammunition. Authorities convicted them in May last year after linking them to the conspiracy through WhatsApp messages and other evidence.
Kheswa is a repeat offender under the Sexual Offences Act. He had previously exposed a child to sexual acts and received a conviction. During the murder plot, authorities detained him at Pollsmoor Prison while he awaited trial for rape.
While in prison, Kheswa befriended Ntsalaz, a fellow inmate and gang member facing rape charges. Ntsalaz advised Kheswa to kill the rape victim to get the charges dropped. He accepted the plan and called Bhala, who then organized the murder for R10,000.
Murder Executed Hours Before Testimony
Authorities released Ntsalaz from prison on June 27, 2017. Just a day later, he carried out the murder, killing the victim before she could testify in court.
On June 29, 2017, an investigator arrived at the victim’s home to escort her to the trial but learned from her mother that someone had shot her the night before. The investigator immediately informed the senior prosecutor. Subsequently, the prosecutor withdrew the rape case against Kheswa, resulting in his release from prison.
Following an intensive investigation, police arrested the trio a month after the murder. The evidence, including phone records and witness statements, confirmed their involvement.
Judge Condemns Heinous Crime
Lekhuleni called the crime “particularly heinous,” emphasizing that the perpetrators planned it in a prison cell and executed it with brutal precision.
Lekhuleni stressed the need for strong sentencing to deter violent crime, adding that South African courts must send clear messages to criminals.
“With the current levels of serious crime, sentencing must emphasize retribution and deterrence,” he stated.
The Western Cape High Court’s ruling underscores the fight against gender-based violence and the justice system’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.
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